"If you want to," he managed. "But no pressure. We can take it slow."
"I want to." Kevin looked at April. "Is that okay, Mom?"
April's eyes were shining. "Yeah, baby. That's okay."
Kevin smiled—the biggest smile since he'd spotted them from the bus. Then he launched himself at Shane, and Shane caught him and lifted him clean off the ground in a hug that felt like coming home.
Over Kevin's head, Shane met April's eyes. She was crying again, but smiling this time.
"Family," Shane mouthed.
April nodded, mouthing back, "Family."
Later, after Kevin had unpacked and taken a shower and eaten his weight in pizza, Shane found April standing in the kitchen, staring out the window at nothing.
"You okay?" he asked, sliding his arms around her waist from behind.
"I think so." She leaned back against him. "Today was... a lot."
"Yeah, it was."
"But we're good?"
"We're great, Sweetness."
April turned in his arms, studying his face. "You really meant it? About loving Kevin?"
"Every word."
"And about us being a family?"
"Every. Word," Shane repeated. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her mouth. "You're stuck with me now, April Taylor. Both of you."
"Good," April whispered against his lips. "Because I love you, too.”
"I know." Shane kissed her again. "I know."
From the living room, Kevin called out, "Are you guys kissing? Because that's gross but also cool!"
They broke apart, laughing. Shane called back: "Mind your business, kid!"
"It's my house too! That makes it my business!"
April shook her head, grinning. "We've created a monster."
"Nah." Shane pulled her close again. "We've created a family."
And for the first time, Shane let himself believe—truly, fully believe—it was actually true.
TWENTY-TWO
Three weeks later,Shane still couldn't believe this was his life.
They practically lived together, taking turns staying at each other's houses. April's toothbrush in his bathroom. Her coffee mug on his counter. Kevin's bike by the door, Pete's and Benny's toys scattered across the living room floor. The kind of chaos he'd never imagined wanting—and now couldn't imagine living without.
They'd fallen into a rhythm. April working at Riversong, Shane on whatever job Watchdog assigned, Kevin shuttling between day camps and friends and the hundred small adventures kids got into when school was out and summer just starting. Dinners together most nights. Movie marathons and hikes on weekends.
The fear that it wouldn't last, that something would shatter this fragile happiness—Shane shoved it down every time it surfaced. April was safe. Kevin was thriving. They were together. He had everything he ever wanted. And it was all better than he could have imagined.
